Life has tough decisions, and choices

In life there are many tough decisions and choices for you to make. Some are hard, but they must be made. Take your time to make the right choices to achieve your dreams, and goals. Trust God to lead and guide you along the way to make the right decisions. He is like a pilot that can guide you through the fog and can deliver you safely to your desired destination in life.

"If you are going to make it"

If you are going to make it, you must make sacrifices to achieve, and succeed in this journey called life. Just remember Philippians 4:13, and take the boldness and the strength that it enforces within you. Lean on God's word, believe God's word, trust God's word, and most of all get to know God's word. There are times in life where there are going to be things that you and I do not want to do, but you and I have to do it to succeed in life. You have to be awaken every morning to believe it and achieve it no matter what. You need to have a positive attitude, and sweet aggressive thoughts to be make it through to the next level in life. Be peaceful and tranquil in thought and deed, and do as time allows.

"Saturday"

Saturday is the 1st.day of the week, and a great blessed day for many. Saturday is a good day to celebrate a birthday for Leon, and Cathy Clark, because they were born on the same day in 1944. This Saturday will be July 4th. and it is a wonderful day to throw a surprise party for them both. Neither Leon or Cathy never had a surprise party for their birthday's ever, so this would be a function for the whole family to participate. Leon as well as Cathy have many friends in Newport News, Va. there home town, so many people would attend the surprise party. They live in a Senior Apartment Building on Jefferson Blvd. & 64th. Street in the downtown area of Newport News. Leon's nephew Jason is the one who wants to plan the party for them both , and has suggested the idea to a few other family members. The idea is to keep them both busy so they do not know what is going on Saturday at 4 o"clock. So Jason has asked cousin Audrey to pick up Leon and Cathy and take them to Norfolk to the Waterfront to the Sea Food Festival at the City Dock. Both of them like Seafood a lot, should be willing to go. Audrey was laughing to herself as she got off the phone, because it was so easy for them wanting to go. They wanted to go so much that they were hungry through the phone, you could hear the joy from the tone of there voice. It was set Audrey had 3 days to set things up to pull the wool over there eyes, and deceive them to be surprised about the party. Audrey had told Jason about taking them to Norfolk, and he had laughed and said it was a good Idea. There was also a Nicolina Music Fest going on there too, which is a Blues Festival on the Waterfront. Leon loves his Blues, and would enjoy it very much to hear some good music, especially being treated by Audrey his niece. Cathy is not much on blues, but will suffer through it as she watches Leon enjoy it. It became Friday night and Audrey was getting stuff together for Saturday to take with her to Norfolk, and the short trip to the party back in Newport News. Jason called Audrey to see if everything was set for Saturday, and it was. Jason had rented out the assembly room at the Senior Center for the party, and many people were cooking and bringing a dish. Leon nor Cathy had any idea a surprise party was being planned for them, for all they knew was that they were being treated to the Sea Food Festival, and the Blues Festival to enjoy there birthdays. On Saturday morning Audrey had called them and told them she would pick them up at 11:30 to go to the Sea Food Festival, and they were overjoyed at the notion to go. Audrey had pulled up, and Leon was on the porch waiting yelling to Cathy, "come on", Audrey is here, and she hurries out the house. As they ride through town Leon & Cathy seem to enjoy the ride, but have no idea that a party is being planned for them. Jason has called Audrey to tell her everything is set, and he will see them at 6:30pm back at the Senior Center. Leon and Cathy have been enjoying the day, and hated to go, but they decided to go back to the Senior Center and relax after a wonderful day. They arrive at the Center, and see a lot of cars, and hard to park after going around the block, but finally find a parking space. They go in and Audrey say she has to go to the bathroom that is in the lobby in the assembly room, and Leon and his wife stand there and wait for her. Audrey has been gone for 10 minutes, so Leon & Cathy decide to go in and see if she is ok. The room is dark as they enter, but they hear things moving, but as they get to the near center of the floor....the lights come on and a very loud "SURPRISE", LEON & CATHY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY. there faces were astonished with joy, and terror the same time, as the music starts to play, and people begin to dance. Many come over to shake hands and give hugs, and they both were happy to see so many people. In the corner is a table with many gifts on it, and Cathy has a flood of tears in her eyes. Leon"s eyes begin to water as he cry's out that he has never had a surprise birthday party, and he is 66 years old. Jason grabs the microphone and starts singing "Happy Birthday, as everyone joins in, and they both are in the middle of the floor crying, and saying "this is a very wonderful Saturday", and this is none like no other.

"Sometimes you have to hit life hard and fast"

Positive Aggression in life is always good, it will take you a long way.

"Anger a Real-Time Problem"

Really, what is anger? Well Webster’s defines it as a strong feeling of displeasure and belligerence. The sub part to that is to make or become angry, feeling or showing anger, and lastly becoming angry or dangerous. But it is a real problem in the black community, and an issue between our families. If you think back to when you were a child in the 40’s, and 50’s our parents did get mad or angry, but it was not displayed publicly. It was a form of disagreement that was done behind closed doors, and away from children. Now days it is done anywhere, and not caring who hears it or what is seen. The reality is that our children see it and remember it very vividly. As our children grow into the 2000’s anger has become a big problem in America. Take a look at the murder rate, which stems from small, and tiny bits of anger. Anger starts in the home and breeds out into the neighborhood, and openly walks into our schools. Now anger is at another level, and is very difficult to diffuse and is implanted in the person. Once it is implanted in the person, it is very hard to pull or get to the root of the problem, which created it. Sometimes it is the smallest thing that will trigger an episode of anger for some of us. For others it takes a build-up of things in life to reach it’s peak. Unfortunately, some of us never reach a place to vent, and we hold on to things for years and never understand how to deal with anger. Yes, we all have anger, but it is how you deal with it. Many of us do not know how to deal with anger, and we prolong it until it is too late. If you look at our children they have plenty of anger, but you must understand why. They enter this world and become embattled with so many problems and devices, and most of all they feel that they are not loved. Many of the problems are not there fault, but they are inherited thru the change of day-to-day life. God had placed our children here for us to be good stewards to them, but many times our parents have failed due to life’s pressures. A lot of life’s pressures have created anger in our parents, which then flows down to our children. Our children in part there anger to the streets with the use of drugs, guns, and just plainly calling their selves being mean. They start to loose the love of the family and close friends. They are angry a lot of times because life does not go there way, or by not getting the things that they want. Anger comes from some of the things that our children invest, and put interest in. They are angry from disappointment, and feeling alone with no help or love. We as a people have to learn how to deal with anger, and form individual ways to diffuse anger according to the person that has the issues. Anger is a very big disease for Black American’s and we have to put a cap on it.

"Do your Best"

God gives us a chance to enjoy life another day above ground, and employs a charge on us to do our best. It takes the best that you have to be your best everyday, and it is not a choice but rather a directive. You must learn to make sound & unmovable decisions that will improve you and your family to be the best. When the Lord awakens you in the morning be you’re best and give him praise. It is ordered by Him for you to praise Him all day, and night. God does not expect us to be perfect, but however to do our best in everything under the sun. He expects us to treat our neighbors well, and help them. He warrants us to uphold marriages in His name. It is mandatory for us to teach and rear our children, because they are His and our future. We must put Him first and man last, and that is expected of us. He wants us to do our best on our jobs, and neighbors. He expects us to do our best helping people, and teaching our children.

"As they looked out the window"

As they looked out the window, on this January day
there was snow falling at a steady rate. The television was on and the weatherman said there will be at least 14 inches before it stops. It was a cold and snowy Wednesday morning in Baltimore, and it fits the tone of the city. In the winter in Baltimore it is usually cold and snowy. As Jerry pierced his eyes out of the window the snow was getting blustery and blowing wildly. Jerry looks at his sister Lucinda who he lives with on West Cross Street in South Baltimore, and says, “Damm, it looks as it will be snowing all day and night”. Lucinda replies, “it sure does and I do not have to go to work in that mess”, “I ain’t mad at nuttin”. There has to be 6-8 inches now on the ground, moans Jerry. Well, I do have a case of Sam Adams in the fridge, and I will be ok sis. I know you will Bro, cause I’ve got my snacks, and Jack Daniels in the camp. Plus I can sit and watch the stories all day up in my room. I got a draft in my room coming from one of those windows, and I have got to find it. Yea sis I am going to watch the weather and Martin on 54, and flip back and forth between channels. Just then there is a big “Flop outside in the back of the house. Jerry goes to look and see, Damm’it, it is the snow off of the roof, and it has fell in the backyard. Well bro, looks like you have some work to do later. It is 4:53 pm in the afternoon, and the television addresses us that a man has been shot 12 times a close range on Mount & Ramsey Streets. More to come on this story at 5, here on TV eleven at 5. Jerry tells his sister that is why I do not go out to eat, I just come home , because the street is too dangerous. It is the first month in 2007 and people don’t appreciate it, they are just killing people left & right. We have had 27 homicides in 17 days, and it is a damm shame. And people around the country wonder if the Wire is real, damm right it’s real. And the city has a slogan they paid all of that money for, “Get in on it”, what…”Homicide”. They could have paid me for some bullshit like that. Yea, bro I know what you mean, when I am at the hospital I hear those ambulances coming and going. It seems like it is just non-stop day and night. Jerry still rambling, its those young dudes, and the old stupid one that thing that they run something and don’t run a damm thing. Plus the city has bloods and crips running around trying to gang bang. This is the 19th year straight that the murder rate has been consistently number 1 in the country. Even New York does not have this much crime and the city is much larger. It’s a damm shame sis, here we are again the murder capital of the country. If I could live somewhere else I would. Some times I feel like going to live with Aunt Sarah in North Carolina, I hear it is nice down there. The crime is a lot less and the cost of living on the dollar is a lot better. Jerry, “did you hear that”, Gu-Gun fire out back. Yeah I heard it, what else is new besides that regular popping sound. It is properly another shooting. Momentarily there are police sirens in the air, and getting closer as Jerry and Lucinda talk among themselves. Lucinda goes upstairs to her room and looks out the window, and sees police and ambulance crews working frantically to save the man lying on the ground. Lucinda screams, “Jerry, Jerry…..come up here, look at this some body is shot out back. I guess that is number 28 in 17 days, replies Jerry. Its some man lying in the alley. I can’t see who it is, or if we know him. Jerry
replies, “why worry, there is nothing you can do to stop the
shootings”. Another shooting in “Harm City”, and it happens to be
outside my back door. Of all the places, and now I have to go out and clean up the blood after they are gone. Lucinda replies, “it sure is a lot of blood”, “I wonder if he is going to live. One thing for sure the Ambulance drivers are doing a good job trying to keep him alive. Jerry tells Lucinda that he should send the city a letter on how good a job the Fireman & Ambulance drivers are doing to save this guys life. Jerry ask Lucinda what are the numbers on the Fire Truck and Ambulance. Lucinda holler’s to Jerry, “Engine 14 & Ambulance 21”. Those guys do a good job, and a thankless job, and it is time that they get their due for as hard as they work. I am going to write that letter tomorrow, remind me. These guys are in all of that snow that is half way up there legs, and it is very cold out. They need somebody to let the city know how hard they are working. “Hey Jerry, look the Firemen are running in the snow”. Jerry replies, “They must be going to help someone else”. As the sun sets, so goes another day in the life of a Baltimorean into a long hard cold night.

Entities of the Firehouse

How do you, "Add Water"

God needs your attention...

Once God has you keep a wide angled perception, a sound mind, and a clear vision. Be persistent to achieve success and core values. Seek wisdom and knowledge, and be ever ready to reach out and help others, and most of all, follow His plan for you. Each of us has a different plan that He has creatively designed for us individually. Be attentive and motivated to put His plan in action to receive positive results. In reaching goals, you need to reach down and pull others up to a level where they are stable on level ground to stand as you move on. God watches who you help in life as you endure your journey in life. Let God have your full attention, and let Him guide you where you need to go. Use your skill of active listening, use your muscles to pull others along, be a leader and not a follower, and keep your sight on the prize.

"Waking Up"

It is a daily task that God has granted you, and blessed you to do. Take full advantage of it, because you get to do it each day. Think on the people who cannot, and will not, they will be glad to change places with you. Rise up and let the word filter through your mind to start the day. Remember, you did not get up yourself, God woke you up, and choose you to go out and help somebody, because He knew you would. Look, you are part of His plan, and that is why He chose you to be awaken on this day. The alarm clock is made by man, and is just a secondary device that records time, and alerts you to what time it is, but God wakes you up. So wake up, love family, and one another, go out, and do you best each and everyday, because that is what God desires of you.

Ray Lewis, Pre Game Chant

Ray to (the team): What time is it??!! (GAME TIME!!) What time is it??!! (GAME TIME!!), Are the dogs in the house??!! (WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF) Are the dogs in the house??!! (WOOF WOOF WOOF WOOF)

* and then they huddle up, he gives some words of encouragement, and then when they break he says.

Ray to (the defence): Now lets do what we do on 3! 1...2...3... (WHOOOOOOOO!!!)

"Walking Daily"

Do you know what it is like to walk through the belly of the beast or the pits of hell? I really don't know myself, but I have a good idea. Well, sometimes life's challenges will do that to you without you see it coming. Many times in life we have been blindsided, and it seem situations get worse. If you are a believer, God will work it out, He knows all, and everything is His. So no matter what seems like it is not going right, or a bad situation, remember this; "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise up against thee, thou shalt condemn", and you can find this in the Book of Isaiah 54:17. Believe God on His word, no matter how bad or sad a trail is. Stand firm on His word, no matter what it looks like. We belong to Him, and He is in control of everything with nothing lacking.

"Nyckle Duece"

"Check yourself in life, and do the right thing"

Apt. 367, 1058 Arygle Avenue, "The Big House"

It was a very hot summer night in the high rise, and the police sirens whale in the background bringing on the action. The air of the night was tough mentally, and physically, but the streets swelled with people. The air was so thick that the crowds struggled to get along in the grueling heat. Masses of people filled the courtyard appealing to different groups along the walk. As the mothers of many watched from above hanging out the windows reeling the humid air into there apartments. The Towers were not the place to be at tonight with the rancid air raveling through the apartments, and halls. From the Towers many could see the drug dealers running along the roofs in the low rises, and row houses moving there drugs up and down the streets to evade the Police. Many of the kids were sitting on some of the stoops singing songs, or playing tag, and chasing one another. Although in a few years they will be recruited to run drugs in one of the gangs. In the stairs of the tower at 1058, the drug dealers were yelling, "I got pink tops on the 4th., yellow tops on the 3rd., blue tops on the 5th., and the all night market place was open. This was the daily job for many who lived in the towers, or breaking into the cars of people who worked at Social Security, or visiting Lexington Market. Such retrieved items such as wallets, MP3 players, CD's, money, GPS systems, and car radios, packages, or anything that can be sold. Most of the items are sold right in the towers, even a GPS that never leaves the apartment. What does not get sold gets thrown away, and the cycle repeats itself again. Some excitement stirs down the street, as somebody got some bad drugs and a tussle begins between the buyer, and seller. 1058 is not a place to live for the week or mild attitude person, because there is to much going on 24 hours a day. One of the most interesting faucets of the day is when the young boys ride a dirt bike up the stairs through people, and keep it in there apartment with the stench of gasoline floating through the air. The Basketball court ignites with yells, and screams of a fight, and you see a person run to a car. A few minutes later, you hear the sounds that plague the high rises daily, "Pow, pow, pop, pop, pop", and you see a silhouette of a body on the ground. The crowd starts to gather in a circle to see who it is, and the yells and screams get louder within the crowd. You see a few people running toward the tower, which is a popular sign that it is someone who lives here. The verdict is in and cries for a mother can be heard, that has been seen many times. I recognize Sarah who lives in apartment 367, and she is running and crying loudly as she learns that her son Leroy has been shot. Police sirens filter the air, as well as the Medic 4, and a Fire Truck, Truck 4 from nearby McCullough Street. The Tiller-man, Rob Wilkins, and Driver, Oliver Silver from Truck 4 run over through the crowd to the man laying on the ground, and start CPR as the Medic gather equipment to transport the man to the hospital. The Police are getting information from people in the crowd as to what happened. After all of the excitement the basketball court empties, and the towers return to normal, and the drug dealers prosper to business as usual. This is life in the towers, the same stuff, over, and over. he news of Leroy's shooting spread like jelly around all of the towers so quickly. But within 2 hours after the shooting, Leroy was dead, and the news flowed like the air that you breathe. Everybody knows who killed him, but no one is going to say anything, that is the code in the towers. The cries could be heard through the towers from apartment 367, Sarah Lewis apartment, and screams of why, why. The air of the atmosphere out side is like Leroy just left for a minute and will be back, and nobody is really looking for him, and even forgot who he was or where he lived in just a matter of minutes.

Directions.....

Need Directions?, "Read the Bible"....Basic, Instructions, Before, Leaving, Earth

"Cleo", I can do all things through Christ who strenghten's me

It was Friday night in Brooklyn, and on 6th. Avenue & 178th Street things were live into the wee hours of the morning. The air of the street was filled with many folks leaving the nightclubs, and filtering to there homes, or the lifting laughter in there cars. The moon was high, and the routing sound of traffic in the distance even at this hour was a normal setting for this Brooklyn neighborhood at this horrid hour. As the laughter and music softly filled the night air there there came a sudden "Bang, Bang"..."Bang", as heads turned a block away many saw a body lying in the street, and were highly astonished, because they were not accustomed to seeing anything like that in that neighborhood. As the silhouette of a body laid there in the distance, groups of people moved toward it to see who it was, and help the person. Johnny B yelled, "Hey, it's Cleo, from the Hoaggie Shop around the corner", "somebody call 911". Johnny B held her head as she mumbled "Car-Car...los, Carlos, he shot me. The NYPD pushed everybody back to make way for the Medic. Cleo was conscious, and mumbling a little in spurts. Cleo spurts out that her and Carlos were fighting over his car, and a girl who was riding in it. Cleo had never seen the girl, and wanted to know who it was, and Carlos told her, "none of your fricken business". That is when the argument and Carlos pulled out the gun and shot Cleo. The officers put out an APB for a navy blue "69 Cadillac Eldorado", with NY tags VGD-601. Later the sun was rising, and 6th. Avenue was returning to normal as many were starting to retreat to home after a busy partying night. Hours later Cleo was released from the hospital, and went home reeling the Doctors orders for care of her injury. Two days later Carlos was apprehended in Newark, New Jersey in a bar on Orange Street. She had to go to the 22nd. Precinct in Brooklyn on Flatbush Avenue to file charges on Carlos. The day went on and Cleo went back home to recover her non-life threatening wound. As the days went on, she returned to "Soul to Soul Hoaggie Shop" and received many well wishes on her back to work journey. Later about 2 months later Carlos was sentenced to 48 month in prison for his 3rd. strike, and will remain at "Riker's Island" the NYC Corrections Facility. It was hard for Cleo, because she and Carlos had been together for a long time, but Cleo has learned to move on with life. The next week Cleo started going to Church to thank God for sparing her life. She started attending "New Direction Gospel" in Brooklyn, and even took her girlfriend Lisa. They both attended for a while and both joined the Church. Life had changed for Cleo, and Lisa that they opened there own Soul Food Restaurant, "The Simmering Pot". The business became so prosperous that they became tithing members of the Church, and had enough to buy new cars, and houses. They both had reaped the benefits of there hard work, and believing and trusting in God. The message to there friends was to "leave it to God, and he will work it out, have faith, trust, and believe.

"Help for Successful Goals"

"Set Goals", you shape your life, circumstances will shape it for you. You have to work, sacrifice, invest, and persist to get the results you want. Choose them well. You can’t start your planning until you know where you want to go. Believe in yourself and your abilities. Have the self-confidence to challenge your current situation. Stop worrying what others think about what you can or can’t do. Believe in yourself and your abilities. Have the self-confidence to challenge your current situation. Create for yourself an valid note that outlines your purpose in life. Who are you? What are your values? What do you intend to do with your time to make your one life meaningful? A mission statement will help you to establish a foundation upon which you can build your dreams and goals and from which will flow your objectives. Don’t complicate your life. Think before you act. Constantly seek ways to do things better in all areas of your life. Separate your wants from your needs. You want to work for all you need, not necessarily for all you want. Everybody has the same amount of time each day. How are you going to spend your next 24 hours? Make a plan, a list, and follow it. The point is that you try and keep trying until you succeed. Most people quit too soon. Be persistent. Be patient. Concentrate on your major goal until you have achieved it. Life is a test and the points on that test are earned by how much attention you give to improving yourself and helping others. When your test is graded, to what will you attribute your success: study, hard work, personality, talent, skill, opportunity, connections, and networking. Success is not given, but earned through dedication. So I ask you to pay attention to the pointers above to acknowledge some skills to reach success. Be an achiever, and total believer, and you reward will be success.